There's action in the MGBSFL's Premier, first and second divisions, but it's the tie in the Peter Morrison Trophy that most people are talking about, as holders North London Raiders A put their reputation on the line against team-of-the-moment Fairlop FC - defeat for L'Orange is unthinkable as it would bring a premature end to their season.
March 8, 2018 11:52
LATEST NEWS: MGBSFL FOCUS - WHERE HAS ALL THE PASSION GONE?
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Manchester Maccabi 2nd vs Maccabi London Lions Blue
Fairlop FC vs North London Raiders A
Haroldeans vs Redbridge Jewish Care A
Manchester Maccabi 1st vs Maccabi London Lions White
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CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Oakwood A vs Hendon Utd - April 29 at Rowley Lane
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
FAIRLOP FC vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A
A record crowd is expected as cup giantkillers Fairlop FC host the holders. And I don’t expect there to be an empty seat in the house.
Having already taken the scalps of former winners Hendon United plus a Maccabiah-quality Lions Vets team, Aaron Dias’s Fairlop will be looking to dominate the backpage of the JC as they bid to register a third major scalp.
Big names and big reputations mean nothing to a Fairlop team equipped with former Player of the Year Ryan Cole. The absence of the cup-tied Daniel Garfinkle is a big blow, but they have the players to push L’Orange all the way.
The return of Kane Hopps has given everyone at the Fairlop a lift. He didn’t take long to make his presence felt against Mill Hill Dons last weekend, coming off the bench to deliver the killer third goal. Jake Sanders and Pierce Prince were also stand-out performers on the day.
Raiders have been far from convincing this season. They saved their best performance of the season for Hendon United, but they have struggled to perform to that level week in, week out.
They go into the tie as favourites but manager Dan Shafron is taking nothing for granted ahead of the mother of all banana skins. He told JC Sport: “We are very much looking forward to the game. Fairlop have had an amazing debut season and have a squad of top quality players.
“Knocking out Hendon and the Masters is an incredible achievement and they’ll use that confidence and belief coming in to this game.
“We’ve had a good run recently but were gutted we couldn’t get our final league game played last weekend.
“The boys are keen to not let our season end on Sunday and as current PMT holders, we’ll do all we can to progress to the next round and get one step closer to retaining the trophy.”
Having tipped Fairlop to lose in previous rounds against Hendon and Lions Masters, I’m going to put my neck on the line and predict a major upset.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
FAIRLOP (from): Jordan Kara, Pierce Prince, Adam Goldman, Kane Wise, Max Freedman, Ryan Cole, Daryl Rubin, Matt Berkley, Daniel Bean, Kai Vale, Daniel Rosen, Brad Gayer (capt), James Jaconelli, Brad Porter, Jacob Sanders, Pierce Prince, Joel Russell, Mitch Gold, David Farkash, Guy Weisselberg, Aaron Dias
RAIDERS (from): Adam Zaidman, Josh Morris, Rob Blackman, David Rhodes (capt), Joe Cohen, Josh Goldstein, Adam Joselyn, Ben Joseph, Alex Kaye, Jonny Kay, Joe Meisel, Alex Moss, Oscar Wagner, Josh Green, Josh Bharier, Jordan Nathan, Matt Stock
Venue – Redbridge Sports Centre, Ref –David Lazarus , KO – 10am
JC star man: Daryl Rubin (Fairlop)
DC Prediction: Fairlop 2 NLR 1
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
CAMDEN PARK vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS BLUE
Having secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Peter Morrison Trophy, Lions Blue will make the short trip to Camden Park full of confidence.
They remained patient in a keenly-contested tie against Sedgley Park last time out, and most importantly kept their heads, while their opponents had three men sent off.
Sam Marchant’s boys played with great maturity and they will be looking to maintain that momentum in the build-up to their trip to Manchester.
Josh Bloom was the chief tormentor when the Lions put Camden to the sword 4-0 in December. He started on the bench in the cup game last week but I expect him to start in game in which he will be looking to fill his boots in.
Camden were well beaten by Lions White last weekend. Dan Orgel’s consolation was about the only positive Stirling Kay and co managed to take away from the 5-1 defeat.
They have lost all three home games and found the net just twice at Hadley this season. Can I see them getting the better of Lions. The simple answer is no.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
CAMDEN (from): Steve Murad, Ben Harris, Josh Tiano, Theo Azouz, Greg Meller, Max Gordon, Kane Gilbery, Rick Harris, Johann Jordi, David Kanzen, Mike Khalatschi, Josh Marks, Max Saunders, Matt Pearlman, Ricardo Ercoli, Dan Orgel, Danny Sherman
LIONS (from): James Harpin, Sammy Kingston, Daniel Fattal, Daniel Behar, Ben Winters, Nathan Anders, Jordan Aspis, Nick Barnett, Charlie Cohen, Adam Abadi, Ed Brafman (capt), Benji Weinberger, Jono Gaon, Josh Bloom, Michael Kenley, Zac Linden, Zach Perez, Liron Mannie
Venue - Hadley, Ref – Mark Jacob, KO – 10am
JC star man: Adam Hassanali (Lions)
DC Prediction: Camden 0 MLL 3
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS
Hendon have little margin for error between now and what could effectively be a title showdown against Oakwood next week.
Redbridge away is never easy. And manager Greg Corin knows that. Yes they have stolen a march on Jon Jacobs’s men this season but as Raiders recently proved, every team is beatable.
Dovi Fehler was the hero of that famous high-scoring game in which Hendon broke RJC hearts on the final day a couple of years ago. And he has hit form at just the right time ahead of a busy run-in.
Yoav Kestenbaum and Rocky Spitzer will be looking to give Zac Lewis and Corin excellent delivery in a game in what could be a game of few chances, while Ben Lauffer, who has been in commanding form of late, will be determined to keep a close rein on the home strikers.
Ahead of kick-off, Hendon boss Greg Corin told JC Sport: "We have a couple of defensive absentees, but also a number of quality attacking options including Moses Seitler who has made himself available for the big game.
"We are hoping to come away from the match with a win. With a handful of games still to play and the league title in our hands, we want to really push that bit closer towards the title. We are really looking forward to the game."
Redbridge recently gave as good as they got against Oakwood. Although the Morrison is their only remaining hope of silverware, they will want to put on a good show in front of their fans against the defending champions.
When Nathan Sollosi plays Redbridge play, as we have seen in the Jewish FA Cup this season. But they will be determined to show their rivals they are still capable of pulling a big result out of the bag.
Sam Sollosi was also in fine fettle on B-team duties last weekend, when he led Division One champions Faithfold a merry dance.
Hendon have bounced back well following the NLR defeat with a pair of victories over Brady. And I have a sneaky feeling they will do the business again here. A point would be enough to take them top but they will be determined to grab all three.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
REDBRIDGE (from): Dan Lee, Jay Jaffa, Ross Weintraub, Danny Berg, Sam McCarthy, Adam Hakimi, Danny Hakimi, Craig Sandford, Richie Caplin, Brad Frankel, Adam Shafron, Ben Sollosi, Sam Sollosi, Nathan Sollosi, Scott Oldstein, James Berkley, Nate Kashket, Russell Goldstein, Steve Summers, Aaron Goldberg, Elliot Black, Calvin Dickson
HENDON (from): Russ Corin, Arthur Caplin, Rafi Kon, Mordi Weiler, Larry Cohen, Josh Bentley, Avi Korman, Dudi Edreyi, Dan Howard, Ari Last (capt), Ben Lauffer, Josh Harris, Zac Lewis, Yishai Last, Moses Seitler, Rocky Spitzer
Venue – Seven Kings High School, Ref – Daniel Fox, KO – 10am
JC star man: Moses Seitler (Hendon)
DC Prediction: RJC 1 Hendon 2
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DIVISION ONE
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE C vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B
I was impressed by the way Raiders hung in against champions Faithfold a fortnight ago.
Yes they rode their luck, but Scott Waissel’s last-gasp strike earned them what could prove a precious point come the end of the season.
They were missing key personnel, including Rob Blackman and Brandon Sasson, but a last-ditch throw of the dice by joint-manager Jonathan Adelman paid dividends.
Doron Salmon and Adelman know things will be just as tough away at Redbridge on Sunday. The east Londoners are tricky opponents who are unbeaten in four since the 2-1 defeat against L’Orange, when Elliot Espinoza and David Dinkin edged them home.
Mitch Hahn wasn’t in the RJC line-up that day and this could be a game he fancies as the east Londoners look to exact revenge.
NLR face both RJC team in their run in – it doesn’t get much tougher than that. Can they do it on a cold Sunday morning in Essex? We’re about to find out.
POSSIBLE SQUADS
REDBRIDGE (from): Ben Rosenthal, Martin Sales, Martin Zartz, Sam Zartz, Dave Green, Jamie Danan, Jason Patmore, Adam Kemper, Jerome Marks, Darryl Green, Alex Aviram, Lee Cutler, Harrison Midda, Lewis Rackham, Ryan Silkman, Seth Warner, Mitch Hahn
RAIDERS (from): Ben Law, Anthony Shaw, Antony Goodmaker, Charles Braunstein, Rob Blackman, Lewis Blitz, Danny Bloom, Elliot Espinoza, Dave Esterkin, Matt Leader, Mark Leader, Ricky Lawrence, Simon Buchler, Brandon Sassoon, Scott Waissel, Josh Green, Jake Gilbert
Venue – Fairlop, Ref – Neal Cohen, KO – 10am
JC star man: Ben Law (NLR)
DC Prediction: RJC 1 NLR 1
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DIVISION TWO
BAYERN MINCHA vs CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI
Table-toppers Bayern Mincha could face a real battle against a Catford team who have named a squad of 16 for the game.
Managers Daniel Holder and Alon Pinhas are trying to keep their players calm ahead of the run-in, and as the old adage goes, take it one game at a time.
They have come through some key matches relatively unscathed – beating Mill Hill Dons, drawing with FC Team and crushing the Cats.
Ahead of the rematch, Holder told JC Sport: “We played Catford two weeks ago where we won relatively comfortably, although we know they were missing several players and are a much better side than they showed on the day.
“We have three games left of the season now and no matter what happens, we are proud of all the lads for showing their character to take the title race right down to the wire.
“We easily could’ve capitulated after our 4-0 defeat to Dons halfway through the season, but we remain undefeated since then, dropping just two points.
“We believe that nine points from our last three games will win us the title. With the Dons losing to Fairlop last week, and our game against Fairlop on the final day of the season - a potential winner takes all - this could be one of the biggest games in Division Two history.”
Catford are bang up for Sunday. Manager Jeff Gotch has told me as much. But I think they will come out second best in a game decided by small margins.
JC team news: Bayern player-manager Alon Pinhas tore his hamstring in training and is likely to miss the remainder of the season and take up a manager role for the last three games. Apart from this injury, they have a relatively strong squad to choose from, though Josh Levy and Adam Biton remain out.
POSSIBLE SQUADS
BAYERN (from): Joe Nyman, Rafi Terespolsky, Sam Leader,Akiva Fink, Josh Levy, Eli Davila, Daniel Holder, Joe Metliss, Shmuel Leader, Allon David, Sam Kanter, Sammy Liebert, Adam Ellis, Harry Salter
CATFORD (from): Guy Ben-Aroya, Richard Adams, Stuart Harris, Loz Bloom, Jeff Gotch, Mitch Green, Alex Jacobs, Joel Lassman, Callion McGregor, Yarden Sharon, Danny Yeshua, Richard Winton, Jason Shoffman, Ashley Stokes, Jamie Sinai, Sam Reeves, Ashley Stokes, Jon Solomons
Venue – Capital City , Ref – Barry David, KO – 10am
JC star man: Harry Salter (Bayern)
DC Prediction: Bayern 2 Catford 1
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FC TEAM vs MILL HILL DONS
Promotion rivals FC Team and Mill Hill Dons are ready to rumble for the second time this season.
The Dons have suffered two defeats in their last three games and boss Brandon Hamme will be looking for a big reaction following the defeat against Fairlop FC last weekend.
He told JC Sport: “I cCan’t fault my boys at all after last Sunday’s performance, they all gave it their all and at times particularly in the second half we looked like we were on top but unfortunately it wasn’t to be our day.
“The game was played under hostile conditions and I’m proud of the boys for managing to keep their cool and not letting the occasion get to them.”
Looking towards Sunday’s game, Hamme went on to say: “What a crucial game it is. I think this could very well be our biggest game of the season, things are currently still in our hands, if we win every game we win the league.
“If we drop points on Sunday, this is a four-horse race for the title and things will no longer be in our hands.
“We are fully aware we are going up against a very solid team, who last time out gave us a great game and we needed a very solid performance to grind a result out.
“We will need a similar type of performance this weekend to get a result. We know about the goal-scoring threat that Mitch Young possesses and the aerial threat of Richard Salmons and we will be looking to set up to try and keep both quiet on the day.
“I believe at our best we can beat any team in this league but I truly believe if we are not at our best on Sunday we could very easily be caught out.”
FC Team are unbeaten in six but they have yet to beat any of their promotion rivals. This is something player-manager Mitch Young will be determined to put right.
As Hamme has said, Young has been in terrific goal-scoring form this season and his partnership with Salmon has never been stronger. Jon Breger and David Grossman have also chipped in with important goals from midfield – and I can see this being the key area on Sunday.
There’s a lot at stake for both sides here and it will come down to who wins their individual and collective battles.
JC team news: Joseph Reece (torn ankle ligaments), Joel Sinclair-Horne (broken shoulder) and Jordan Rinsler (fractured hand) all remain out for the Dons. Adam Ben-Harosh is also a doubt after picking up a minor thigh injury in last Sunday’s game.
POSSIBLE SQUADS
TEAM (from): David Gordon, Jamie Breslaw, Eitan Ben-Zion, Jon Breger, Dan Breger, Danny Moss, James Milman, Adam Rones, David Grossman, Jamie Breslaw, Mitch Young, Dylan Young, Richard Salmon, Ryan Kangisser, Ashley Burns
DONS (from): Oli Burchell, Richard Reback, Adam Ben-Harosh, Josh Cinna, Sam Demby, Harry Moss, Jamie Nagioff, Nick Phillips, Adam Isaacs, Ryan Kramer, Zach Cohen, Harry Kalms, Brandon Hamme, Josh Moses, Adam Diamond
Venue – Hertswood, Ref – Neil Cooper, KO – 10am
JC star man: Adam Morrow (Dons)
DC Prediction: Team 2 Dons 3
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STRAW HAT PIRATES vs REAL HENDON
The Pirates will be looking to move to within a point of Real as they go in search of their sixth league win of the season.
Indeed revenge will be the name of the game for Elliot Cukier’s men who finished well beaten by Martin Smulovitch’s troops last time out, when Gav Noe, Lolu Hibbert and Alex Jordan eased Real to a 3-0 victory.
In all honesty, I expected more from Real this season. They have shown flashes of brilliance and it was refreshing to hear Rafi Addlestone say they are in it for the long haul. Automatic promotion has long been out of the equation, but if they can make a couple of key signings in the summer then there’s no reason why they can’t be there or thereabouts in 12 months time.
Ahead of the trip to Borehamwood, Addlestone told JC Sport: “We are excited to get back out on the field after a number of weather affected weeks.
“We have a solid squad with competition fierce for places - although wunderkid Joe Metliss will be missing.”
PIRATES (from): David Wolinsky, Jake Yudelowitz, Sam Assil, Matt Cohen, Sim Cohen, Jono Nesbitt, Aron Gale, Gideon Gale, Solly Ishack, Ben Mandell, Joel Newman, Saul Tiano, Matt Cohen, Adam Hilsenrath, Barney Rhodes
REAL (from): Raffy Zysblatt, Ben Cohen, Ben Goldberg, Martin Smulovitch, Doron Shooter, Gilad Kestenbaum, Lolu Hibbert, Joe Goldberg, Zvi Noe, Hezzie Raymond, Motty Korman, Chaim Gothold, Adam Hersh, Lloyd Kafton, Gali Kolt, Chaim Strom, Gav Noe, Harley Patoffs, Jono Marks-Bluth, RA Noe
Venue – Temsford Green, Ref – Stuart Ansher, KO – 10am
JC star man: Chaim Strom (Real)
DC Prediction: SHP 2 Real 3
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TEMPLE FORTUNE B vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C
Clean sheets were something Raiders C were doing for fun at the beginning of the season, but last weekend’s shut-out against Catford was their first six months.
At times they have been their own worst enemy – finding ways of losing games and conceding goals – but with their strongest XI available, they can mix it with the best Division Two has to offer.
Fortune have struggled at both ends of the pitch. Club chairman Nigel Kyte told me about the club’s plans for next season, and with league leaders Bayern visiting next weekend, it’s important they are in the right frame of mind for that one.
Results-wise, they have struggled since Chanukah. So anything here would be a real sweetener.
POSSIBLE SQUADS
FORTUNE (from): Lee Fegan, Anthony Beilin, Jacob Kalms, Josh Klepper, Adam Lenz, Eric Lewis, Gab Saul, Oli Segal, Gideon Wetrin, Darren Zitren, Sam Barth, Adam Jacobs, Josh Taylor, Zach Goodman, James Phillips, Jon Pressman, Dan Krieger, Simon Cohen
RAIDERS (from): Joel Macadar, Alex Sherr, Alex Goodman, Matt Keston, David Domb, Adam Levenson, Sam Roth, Eyal Samovich, Joel Levitt, Callum Stein, Ricky Zeiderman, David Esterkin, Liam Stein, Ben Kaye, Nick Haringman, Alex Elf, Robert Samuelson
Venue – Roger Bannister, Ref – Bob Caplin, KO – 10am
JC star man: Joel Levitt (NLR)
DC Prediction: TFFC 2 NLR 4
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ALSO SEE:
DC'S MATCHDAY 25 AWARDS
STAR MAN: Sam Sollosi (Redbridge JC B)
MANAGER OF THE WEEK: Aaron Dias (Fairlop FC)
GOAL OF THE WEEK: Dan Gordon (Redbridge JC B)
SAVE OF THE WEEK: James Hodari (North London Raiders C)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Jeff Gotch (Catford & Bromley Maccabi)